ImpACT stands for Improving Asthma Care Together. It is a 12-month community-based asthma service which enables patients and health professionals to seek advice and support in the community in the event of an exacerbation.

A dedicated phone line has been set up as part of the project to allow patients, GPs and Allied Health Professionals to access specialist advice either during an exacerbation or when patients have recently been discharged from hospital.

Four Specialist Asthma Nurses will be working in the community throughout the project, running clinics and providing face-to-face support for patients when it is needed

We hope that this project will reduce the number of patients in need of emergency attendances and admission as a result of an asthma exacerbation, and also reduce the number of readmissions by supporting these patients to manage their condition.

Patients with severe asthma are more likely to be admitted to hospital as a result of life-threatening exacerbations. Yet evidence has shown that those who speak to a Specialist Asthma Nurse, who can guide them through their attach, can reduce the likelihood they have to come into hospital. Patient feedback also showed us that patients prefer speaking with somebody who has specialist knowledge about their condition, and their outcomes are better as a result.

ImpACT provides patients with access to specialist nurses who can offer tailored advice and support and hopefully help patients avoid the need to come into hospital.